The event has been held at the Saugatuck site for more than 20 years on the Sunday closest to the Feast Day of St. Francis on Oct. 4. Since the 13th century, the church has used the day to remember the saint and reflect on the gift of non-human life.

Stoppel was impressed with the turnout of more than a dozen animals — mostly dogs though two cats sat nervously in their crates during the ceremony. When the tradition at All Saints’ began, there were few shelters or animal rescues in the area, but that has changed over the decades.

Despite that growth, animals are still in need of food and a home, he said as he urged people to help the rescues and shelters.